XPadder Development Dead!?

[bkenobi]

Looks like the author of XPadder has decided to stop working on the program. I don't know when this happened, so it may be considered old news, but I was not expecting to see the message when I went to grab an updated version. Apparently it's available for sale...the whole thing!

I don't know what that means as far as future use, but looking at what Digital Leisures did...

[Nologic]

Its been up for sale for about a month now...and he's continuing to work on it...I think he's mainly burned out a bit...and not seeing the donations he had hoped for...but thats frankly all guess work on my part.

We'll see what the future brings

[LB11]

Just when things were going to get interesting too. I couldnt wait for the "t-rex" driver package. Now it looks like thats not going to happen any time soon....

[Nologic]

Its just for sale...he hasn't stopped anything...t-rex is a side project that he hopes to make the main focus once its far enough along.

If anything go over and post a thank you & let him know that you wish he'll continue on as there is really no one as passionate as him at making this kind of product.

Really if someone else picks it up...it'll go no where fast...if at all.

[headkaze]

I think there is a common misconception amongst hobbiest coders that they can make money from writing freeware and relying on donations. Unfortunately it's highly unlikely you'll make much even with something that is enomously popular. Nag screens are actually a good way to improve on that but still nothing to write home about. I think Nologic might be right in his assumption, he's probably seeing the number of downloads vs. donations and thinks the world is one great big tight ass lol

That being said if you want to improve on donation count you really have to build a community around your software. People are less likely to donate to an author they haven't ever spoke to (IMHO). People have a mindset about software, that is should be free. That is all good and well until you decide you want to be a programmer to make a living.

To survive writing freeware you have to love coding and not expect anything from anyone. Donations should be considered a bonus. But if your driven with the expectation of making money you will be disappointed and probably eventually become jaded.

[LB11]

I thanked him and donated. I post under nrk112 over there.

[headkaze]

I thanked him and donated. I post under nrk112 over there.

That's great I mean every bit helps even if it's a little bit. Fortunately for us Tom doesn't code GameEx for money otherwise the project would have died long ago. The idea of donations (and correct me if I'm wrong here Tom) is to help motivate the programmer, to feel appreciated (in a practical way other than a thankyou) and cover costs.. not for profit.

On a personal level I would not be coding free software if I wanted money from it. I do it for the love of my hobby and for the community (and sometimes just to solve one of my own problems). I feel very close to the GameEx community in particular, including Tom who I consider a good friend, as well as other friends I have met on these boards. And to be honest I have been suprised by the donations I've recieved for CPWizard, and you guys have no idea but Tom does most of the donating for my projects - so it says alot to me about the type of guy he is and where he's coming from.

Sorry I've kinda de-railed this thread. Back on topic though, it's a shame because I always wanted to contact Jonathan and give him my code for injecting input into Raw Input. He already has my code for injecting into Direct Input but I'm not sure if he did anything with it (he's a Delphi coder and the code I gave him was in C). He also gave me permission to use his controller graphics in CPWizard.

Anyway shame to lose such a great project if that is the case. And your right again there Nologic, it's rare another coder can pick up someone elses project and still make it shine. When you look at Mame though Aaron has proven this trend to not be a given.

[Nologic]

hehe I do shit because I'm an attention whore.

I think Jonathan just hit one of those Fuck It moments...it'll likely pass...but giving well desired praise & filling up the coffers will help insure it.

Yeah Aaron has done an awesome job.

I wouldn't worry about a sale tho...at least not until T-Rex is done...then I'd start to worry if Jonathan is still entertaining the idea at that point.

[headkaze]

hehe I do shit because I'm an attention whore.

I think Jonathan just hit one of those Fuck It moments...it'll likely pass...but giving well desired praise & filling up the coffers will help insure it.

Yeah Aaron has done an awesome job.

I wouldn't worry about a sale tho...at least not until T-Rex is done...then I'd start to worry if Jonathan is still entertaining the idea at that point.

Attention whore? Do it for the Love! *sniff* I love you guys

Your probably right, he's probably just going through some depression or something (very common in creative folks). I don't want to sound like the typical pessimist (as that's NoLogic's job) but I doubt anyone would want to take over the project. It's so hard to take over another project. I do hope he's commented his code well

Oh and I didn't realise it was up for sale, I checked out the website and couldn't find any info on it. What price? And who would buy freeware?

[Nologic]

*covers ass and walks slowly backwards away from HK*

hehe hey leave my job alone...mine!

There is a link or a line of text at the top of the site about it...no price tag given...oh folks buy freeware and turn it into shareware fairly often.

Anyways I'm fairly certain Jonathan reads this forum...so I'm not going to dig myself any bigger of a hole than I already have...as I ask him a lot of favors and he generally comes through for me, so I'm very thankful.

[headkaze]

*covers ass and walks slowly backwards away from HK*

hehe hey leave my job alone...mine!

There is a link or a line of text at the top of the site about it...no price tag given...oh folks buy freeware and turn it into shareware fairly often.

Anyways I'm fairly certain Jonathan reads this forum...so I'm not going to dig myself any bigger of a hole than I already have...as I ask him a lot of favors and he generally comes through for me, so I'm very thankful.

Lol you wish!!! *ahem* let's be gentleman shall we..

Well I didn't know Jonathan read this forum, and it's a shame I've never actually spoken to him. Yes that's right it was RandyT who asked me for the Direct Input hack and it was RandyT who said Jonathan said it was okay to use his graphics. I've never actually got around to speaking to him directly.

Do you think anyone will be buying a licence if XPAdder went shareware? Well I hope so, it's a good program, and to be honest I don't have the experience in Shareware to have an opinion on that.